Throughout his life, Jason Gardner has earned prestigious accolades, one being the 1999 winner of the Indiana Mr. Basketball Award. But it was his involvement with the Tabernacle (Tab) Recreation program that helped him become the basketball player and coach he is today.
“I went to Tab because I heard a lot about the program and I heard they help you with your skills. They teach you ball handling, shooting, offense and defense. I only played basketball for one year when I was 7 or 8, but I thought I had gotten a lot better because of what I learned,” said Gardner who also played soccer for a year at Tab.
That lesson in basketball fundamentals paid off. Gardner went on to have a stellar high school basketball career at North Central High School. In addition to winning the Mr. Basketball Award he was also a 1999 McDonald’s and Parade All-American, finishing his prep career with a school record of 1,669 points. During his senior season, Gardner helped his high school win a state championship.
Gardner was recruited to the University of Arizona, where he was a four-year All-American. He has played professional basketball overseas and coached at the University of Memphis, Loyola University Chicago and Cathedral High School.
Earlier this year, Gardner was named men’s head basketball coach at IUPUI.
“My guys come in knowing certain skills, but I learned as a coach, you got to take the time to teach and coach. I try to take time with my staff and players,” said Gardner.
Gardner’s time at Tab is not a rarity. He is among numerous alumni who have gone on to have exceptional sports careers including George Hill of the Indiana Pacers; former New England Patriot Roosevelt Colvin; and Mark Clayton, five-time pro-bowler who played most of his career with the Miami Dolphins.
Some have also gone on to become leaders in their respective job fields including Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard; Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis; Angela Braly, former CEO of Wellpoint; and former Indiana governor and current Purdue University President Mitch Daniels.
“The Tab recreation program has had a positive impact on tens of thousands of lives, mine included. These are great people willing to give of themselves because of a pure love of athletics, love of children, and love of God,” said Daniels.
Since its humble beginnings in 1924, the Tab recreation program has grown considerably and due to its expanded programming, targets children ages 5 to 14 throughout the city. Tab is honoring that long legacy by hosting a Tab Recreation’s 90th Anniversary Celebration, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church campus, 418 E. 34th St.
Current sports teams will be on hand to participate and there will be food, games and entertainment for guests. The Indy Eleven soccer team, Indianapolis Indians and the Pacers Fan Van will host activities. In the gymnasium, there will be a photograph and video display of Tabernacle Recreation program’s history.
Many believe Tab has been able to reach such a monumental milestone because of all it provides to the community.
John Byers, former director of the Tab recreation program and a 90th anniversary celebration volunteer said the program began in the early 1920s when the church first moved to the corner of 34th and Central Avenue, an area that had an abundance of kids that needed to be served. The center further committed itself to youth when it built a wing onto the church in 1929, which housed a gymnasium.
During the 1940s, the program transitioned from a travel program to a community-based program with intramural leagues. An athletic field was also built in this period.
“The peak period was about 3,000 participants and that would have been in the 1970s,” said Byers.
In 2008 the church dedicated a major improvement of the outdoor facilities including changing the grass field into an NFL-caliber field with new lights and fencing. Byers said these changes and many others over the years showcased the church’s commitment to Tab’s recreation program.
“During many of those years, Tab was virtually the only such program in our inner city. As a member of Tab for more than a half century, I am deeply proud of my churchmates who have given of themselves to set young people on a course to healthy and faithful lives,” added Daniels.
Today, about 1,800 children participate in eight co-ed team sports annually including baseball, softball, basketball, track and field, wrestling, cheerleading, football and soccer. Many participants aren’t members of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, which houses and operates the recreation center. Families come from the neighborhood and all over the city to play on Tab’s field and in the gym.
A large number of participants come from low-income families. Officials say fees are low and no one is turned away.
“It’s amazing to think of all the people who have been a part of Tabernacle Recreation during its 90 years, and of the many more who will be a part of its exciting future,” said John Gable, senior pastor of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. “Lives have been changed on these playing fields, they’re still being changed today, and even more will be changed in the years to come.”
Lives have been changed indeed. Shanna Martin, a social worker with the Marion County Commission on Youth said Tab helped her realize sports are about more than the competition and winning.
“It’s more about developing friendships and relationships with the other players and the coaches,” she said. Martin played basketball, softball and soccer at Tab in the 1980s and early 1990s; played high school basketball at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and college basketball at DePauw University. “Tab Rec helped me become the person I am today. As a parent, an athlete, a worker, I think without the experiences I had at Tab, something would have been missing from my life.”
Angelo Foreman, a sophomore and defensive back for Kentucky State University believes Tab’s recreation program is beneficial because it gives kids something to do and keeps them off the streets.
For James Turner, a coach at Fall Creek Academy, the program was, “more about life.”
“I took away from it values and lessons like if you get knocked down you’ve got to get back up. Something I’ve never forgotten since I was 9 years old is the 5 Ps: ‘proper preparation prevents poor performance.’”
Noted businessman Mickey Maurer adds that not only did he learn sportsmanship, camaraderie and leadership during his time at Tab, he also received a trophy for most improved player, which is housed in his den today.
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church members and Tab Recreation alumni and current athletes are pleased the program has survived 90 years and are positioning the program for the future.
Ben Hughes, current director of Tab Recreation said Tab is planning to build a new mini-stadium, which will replace the outdated spectator seating, concession, restrooms and storage on the site now.
Hughes also said the football program recently joined the Greater Central Indiana Youth Football League among others giving Tab players the opportunity to play different types of competition.
Many believe Tabernacle Recreation program’s future is bright.
“The church continues to make investments in the recreation program. All the enthusiasm generated in the planning of this 90th anniversary, I think has boosted the program in the eyes of the community and church members. The community has changed over the 90 years and it’s going to continue to change. We hope it’s around for 90 more years,” said Byers.
For more information, call (317) 926-9426, visit tabpres.org/recreation or tabrecreation.org.
